Punk's Not Dead2007

PUNK'S NOT DEAD is more than just a tribute documentary. It takes you on an era-by-era journey that puts punk rock's non-conformist reputation under the knife. Officially sanctioned by the bands in the film who donated personal photos, fliers and home videos, PUNK'S NOT DEAD follows the evolution of punk music from its anarchic roots, to its use as a corporate marketing tool and acceptance into popular culture, to its reinvention in today's underground scene. It features such bands as The Adicts, Bad Religion, Black Flag, The Damned, The God Awfuls, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Minor Threat, NOFX, The Offspring, Pennywise, The Ramones, Rancid, Social Distortion, Stiff Little Fingers, The Subhumans, Sum 41, UK Subs, The Used and many, many more. Director Susan Dynner's first-hand experience of Washington DC's punk scene in the Eighties and her continued love of punk music spurred the making of this self-financed, independent documentary true to the D.I.Y. spirit of punk culture. PUNK'S NOT DEAD combines intelligent, insightful commentary with live performances, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and a killer soundtrack.

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Some punk rock greats and some not-so-greats expound on how the music came about and where it's going and who is really punk and who thinks they are but aren't. Doc movie about a fashion/music scene that hasn't changed much in 40 years. Cool to see bands in their basements playing for rent money, old bands on the road still shilling for gas money. Sad to see millionaire teen pop bands dressed as punk defending their ethos. Really punk to me is about struggle. Don't think the film ever really got that, but it did point towards "politics" from a distance. This movie was all about the Mohawk look. But the musicians had good things to say that made sense.

Member Reviews (4)

It's interesting to hear from those involved, but too much time was spent on the corporate aspect. It's also impossible to lump UK punk with USA punk and do justice to either. The Ramones were cartoon characters making feel-good music while the Sex Pistols were anarchy personified. Johnny Rotten knew it was all a big joke that wouldn't last; maybe that's why he was the MVP of punk.

Some punk rock greats and some not-so-greats expound on how the music came about and where it's going and who is really punk and who thinks they are but aren't. Doc movie about a fashion/music scene that hasn't changed much in 40 years. Cool to see bands in their basements playing for rent money, old bands on the road still shilling for gas money. Sad to see millionaire teen pop bands dressed as punk defending their ethos. Really punk to me is about struggle. Don't think the film ever really got that, but it did point towards "politics" from a distance. This movie was all about the Mohawk look. But the musicians had good things to say that made sense.